Latest News

Recent News

Brian Johnson (anxiety) has posted a 1.50 ERA across four rehab starts.

Johnson was placed on the temporary inactive list at Triple-A Pawtucket back in May after alerting the Red Sox that he had been experiencing anxiety issues. He's now back on track mentally and physically, having dominated in two starts in the Gulf Coast League and two with Low-A Lowell. The left-hander should be able to return to Pawtucket before the end of July. Jul 20 - 8:53 AM

Brian Johnson (anxiety) has been placed on the temporary inactive list for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Johnson is getting treatment for anxiety. He'll continue to participate in "non-game baseball activities" at the team's spring training facility in Fort Myers. Johnson allowed four runs over 4 1/3 innings in his major league debut against Houston last year. He missed the last two months of 2015 with an elbow injury. May 21 - 4:44 PM

Johnson had an opportunity to stake a claim on Eduardo Rodriguez's temporarily-vacant starting rotation spot, but a mid-March toe sprain ended that dream. The young right-hander allowed nine hits and six earned runs in 4 2/3 exhibition innings before getting injured. He'll be up in Boston at some point this season. Mar 24 - 9:10 AM

Brian Johnson (toe) will miss his next scheduled appearance.

Johnson left Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates due to a sprained toe, but X-rays came back negative. It doesn't sound serious, but Roenis Elias, Henry Owens, and Steven Wright remain the favorites to fill Eduardo Rodriguez's spot in Boston's rotation. Mar 15 - 3:33 PM

Depth Charts

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times mentioned Blake Swihart as a possible trade target for the Rays.

The Rays were known to be interested in Jason Castro before he signed a three-year, $24.5 million deal with Minnesota earlier this month. With Castro off the market, the Rays are likely to explore trade options at catcher. One possibility is Swihart, who could be expendable now that Sandy Leon has emerged as Boston's everyday catcher. Swihart was playing left field when he hurt his ankle last season, though the Red Sox claim he'll enter spring training as a catcher.

Updating an earlier report, the Giants have not discussed trading for Pablo Sandoval, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reported Friday that the Giants were considering trying to acquire Sandoval from the Red Sox but Haft said that isn't the case. The Giants are content with starting Eduardo Nunez at third base and are focused on upgrading at closer. GM Bobby Evans confirmed that Sandoval is not on the team's radar. "I’m not aware of any consideration of a reunion, but we’ll never forget all that he meant to the Giants organization," said Evans. Coming off shoulder surgery, Sandoval will presumably compete with Travis Shaw and Brock Holt for the starting job third base job in Boston this spring.

Mookie Betts underwent a successful right knee arthroscopy, chondroplasty and a loose body removal on Thursday.

Betts battled soreness in the knee throughout the second half, making his .338/.388/.547 batting line with 13 home runs and 54 RBI after the break all the more impressive. He's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Red Sox ease him into things.

Workman missed the entire 2016 season while rehabbing from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He should be ready for the start of spring training in 2017, but the 28-year-old right-hander is going to have to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Boston bullpen.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Carson Smith (elbow) could be ready by June 1 next year.

Smith underwent Tommy John surgery back in May, so the Red Sox are aiming for his return at a little over 12 months. The 27-year-old reliever owns a dominant 2.00 ERA and 104/26 K/BB ratio in 81 career innings and could be quite the weapon if he comes back healthy, but regaining full strength can often take closer to 15 months.